One example is the blue dragon, red phoenix, white tiger and black tortoise which are used even today, by some, as symbols for the eastern, southern, western, and northern celestial quadrants, a practice which goes back for at least 3000 years.Įuropean Heraldry England The Chinese did use graphic symbols going quite a ways back, into very ancient times. China did not develop anything similar to the Japanese mon,either, but the Han dynasty did use banners and standards to identify military units and, occasionally, commanding officers (as officers rather than as specific individuals). One study of Chinese history found no examples of inheritable coats of arms for individuals or families, during the era of Europe’s Middle Ages (the seven Han dynasties). The Japanese ‘rising sun’ is completely red without rays and is perfectly true to nature.Ĭhina also venerates the sun in symbolism - now only found in the arms and flag of Taiwan - is fully risen, alluding to the twelve hours with “blue sky and white sun.” Stylized forms of this symbol are also as common, although eastern Asian nations have found strict graphic forms for representing the sun, which are given specific names. Japan’s Tenno clan laid claim to descent from the sun. Veneration of the sun is another area common to many people, east and west, north and south. The chrysanthemum ‘Mon’ was saved for the sole use of the Emperor. In Japan the ‘Mon’ system was developed to be able to tell which clan or group the soldiers belonged to or were fighting with/for. These symbols were worn on flags on the back of soldiers, in the case of the Japanese ‘Mon,’ who wore a form of wooden or bamboo armor and rode horses or walked into battle.

OVERVIEW - As mentioned above, a form of organized symbolism to denote clans and groups appeared in the mid-13th Century in Asia, about the same time heralds became part of European noble and royal courts. 2.15 Ecclesiastical Heraldry (Church of Sweden).2.13 Spain (Spanish Office of Heraldry).2.10 Ecclesiastic Heraldry (Vatican/Papal Heraldry).2.4 Ecclesiastical Heraldry (Anglican Heraldry).

Heraldry by Ottfried Neubecker